Pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong have been able to watch live coverage of formal talks which have got underway – but Chinese TV is only showing the faces of government officials, not student leaders.<br /><br />The territory’s Chief Executive Leung Chun-yin has admitted that the election process at the centre of the dispute could be made “more democratic”.<br /><br />His comments about the panel that selects candidates are being seen as the first signs of possible concessions.<br /><br />“We all realise that the first meeting cannot solve all the problems. But it is a good start to have a dialogue. The government will listen to the opinion of the Hong Kong Federation of Students with the greatest sincerity,” Leung told reporters. <br /><br />The protesters denounce plans whereby candidates for the 2017 election must be vetted by a large committee they fear will be stuffed with Beijing loyalists.<br /><br />But among the 1,000 or so demonstrators camped out near government headquarters,there are signs some are prepared for some give and take.<br /><br />“I think we all understand that we can’t really get any concrete results. But at least an open dialogue can tell everybody why we are all here,” said a young woman. <br /><br />“At least talking is a first step. I think both sides have to compromise but my opinion is that I don’t want students to compromise too much as we would like to fight for democracy and genuine universal suffrage,” a young man added.<br /><br />With Hong Kong’s leader saying talks on changes to the nominating committee can only start later in the year, an early breakthrough in the stand-off appears unlikely.
